Time and again, native peoples are asked to suffer intrusions on their sacred territory in the name of advancement. This move goes a step too far.

Mauna Kea is sacred land for Native Hawaiians. The proposed construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on the mountain represents the final injustice of an entire people who have been marginalized and disenfranchised.

The issue of Mauna Kea is not an argument against or protest of science and progress. It is about the preservation of a culture and people whose heritage has been littered with past indignities — dating to the colonization of the islands — that they still endure today.

Native Hawaiians draw their strength — spiritually and culturally — from Mauna Kea. It is so much more than a mountain where research telescopes have the best viewing angles or where tourists can appreciate the hiking trails and sweeping views of the landscape. Just like many other cultures use language, hymns and stories to preserve memory of their culture, Hawaiians look to the land as a historical cross section of their existence and the sacrifices their ancestors have made throughout generations.

Why Mauna Kea is so sacred

In many ways, Mauna Kea is the ancestral telescope for Native Hawaiians and is considered their cultural birthplace. It not only gives them a peek into their history and heritage, it also provides future generations the ability to understand their vibrant past.

There is a deep-rooted Hawaiian phrase that underscores the importance of Mauna Kea: “mālama 'āina.”

There is no literal English translation, but it represents a profound cultural belief that is rooted in fidelity to a cause greater than oneself — the custody and stewardship of the land, preserving it for the next generation of Hawaiians.

It is no wonder that celebrities with Hawaiian roots like Dwayne Johnson, Jason Mamoa, Bruno Mars and others have lent their considerable voices and influence to spread awareness of preserving Mauna Kea. No matter the circumstances, Hawaiians band together because they appreciate the importance of preserving their cultural heritage by paying respect to those who came before them.

Protest against the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii, on July 15, 2019.(Photo: Caleb Jones/AP)

Advocates for building the Thirty Meter Telescope on the mountain will lambaste protesters with slurs of being “anti-science” or “living in the past.” These false arguments are designed to disparage a population that continues to be treated as second-class citizens.

The vile disinformation campaign perpetrated by Gov. David Ige is a disgrace to the people he represents, as he continues to exploit xenophobic tropes unjustly ascribed to Hawaiians. Gov. Ige has characterized these peaceful protesters — many of them elderly and pillars of their community — as drug and alcohol abusers who are nothing more than a public nuisance. This type of vitriol, used as a political tool to debase an entire community with legitimate concerns, is an insult to anyone with Hawaiian heritage.

Gov. Ige should listen to the concerns of his people instead of siding with the builders of the Thirty Meter Telescope. Other elected officials like Sens. Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz have also refused to stand with the very people they represent, choosing feckless indifference over principled action. Unfortunately, they continue to abdicate their responsibility to protect Mauna Kea. Being good stewards of the land means not acquiescing to outside pressure.

With alternatives available, why hurt Native Hawaiians?

This is not simply an argument about which is more deserving than the other. Preserving Mauna Kea as sacred land and the construction of the telescope are both noble and worthwhile causes, as they provide the opportunity to understand our humanity in unique ways. But it is time for Hawaii and its government to reaffirm Mauna Kea as protected land to ensure that generations of Hawaiians will have the opportunity to preserve “mālama āina.”

Thirty Meter Telescope officials have already identified one other location where the powerful telescope can be built without disturbing the cultural sanctity of an entire people. This alternate site maintains the ability for groundbreaking scientific achievement and offers scientists and researchers never-before-seen capabilities to explore our cosmos and pinpoint the birthplace of our universe.

We must listen intently and with purpose. Hawaiians have been the ultimate stewards of the islands for generations, and Mauna Kea is their ultimate sacred land. Just like the other smaller telescopes already built on the mountain, the 18-story Thirty Meter Telescope will someday outlive its usefulness. Ceding an entire culture is a price Hawaiians should not have to bear.

Steven Cheung, co-founder of Solgence LLC, previously served as special assistant to President Donald Trump and director of strategic response at the White House. Follow him on Twitter: @CaliforniaPanda